Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 25th, 2019–Jan 26th, 2019

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: North Columbia.

Anticipated warm weather at high elevations will elevate avalanche danger on Saturday.

Confidence

Moderate - Freezing levels are uncertain

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY NIGHT: A few flurries possible. Expected to stay cool overnight.SATURDAY: Dry. Temperatures warming gradually and a weak above-freezing level layer developing from approximately 1900-2300 m. Winds light northwesterly.SUNDAY: Light snow or rain (4-6 cm at higher elevations). Cooling rapidly through the day. Strong westerly winds.MONDAY: Dry. Freezing level at valley bottom. Light northwesterly winds.

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday, Wedensday and Thursday, several storm slabs and persistent slabs avalanches up to size 2 were triggered by people on the recent weak layer buried approximately 30 cm below the surface. The majority of these avalanches occurred at treeline and below, however, there have been a few noted at higher elevations in the alpine. Wind slabs avalanches have been triggered remotely on east and northeast slopes.

Snowpack Summary

20-35 cm of snow sits above a layer of large surface hoar crystals and sun crust. In areas that have had wind effect the recent snow has been settling into a thin but reactive slab above this weak layer, with enhanced reactivity noted at elevations between 1500-1800 metres. In sheltered areas the snow lacks cohesion above this layer and is only reactive as dry loose sluffing. Warmer temperatures are consolidating the upper snowpack are will likely make slab avalanches more widely triggerable.The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

20-35 cm of snow sits above a weak interface of surface hoar and sun crust. Where the snow has formed a cohesive slab it is reactive to human triggering, especially between 1500m-1800m.

Expect to find deeper, reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.Watch for signs of instability such as whumpfing, cracking and recent avalanches..Be cautious around open terrain features, such as cutblocks, gullies, and cutbanks.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2